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[The following minutes fetched from the district site on 2009-10-28 --webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES

Wednesday October 7, 2009

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m by Chairman, Karen Henderson. Committee members present included Mr. Bruce Tretter, Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji and Mr. Craig Harris. Administrator present, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anne Towle

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 4-0 in favor of entering Executive Session under Chapter 30A, Section 21, by roll call vote to discuss negotiations.

The Committee returned to Open Session at 6:00 p.m.

Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor, Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks; and Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti joined the meeting.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 4-0 to approve the minutes of September 23, 2009.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle introduced and congratulated the following teachers who have attained professional status: Rachel Abrahams, Karen Apuzzo Langton, Cheryl Carlson, Roxanne Donahue, Marion Johnson, Kimberly Lambert, Robyn Lawyer, Julie Matson, Mary Lonergan, Kathleen Sabet, Cheryl Tucker, Jacqueline Vandesteen, Jean Weiss, Chris Gildea, Lisa Grimm, Sky Headland, Marie Hopkinson, Megan Kirby, Joseph Marrella, Michele Mercurio, Lorin Reed, Susan Saari, Dara Snider, Ann Taylor.

The Superintendent also recognized and presented Certificates of Achievement to National Merit Scholarship semifinalists Sukmin Moon, Anthony Liu and Xiao-Yu Wang. Also recognized were Michael Fisher and Anthony Liu for achieving Honors in the 2009 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad. Michael was also named a commended student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Noah Rhein was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. Noah spent 180 hours on his trail projects at the Mill Pond School area.

MASC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Glen Koocher, Executive Director of MASC, reported last year there were 64 turnovers of superintendents in the state. To date, there are 24 scheduled departures for this year, which most likely will double by the end of the year. The school committee appoints a superintendent when a vacancy exists and addresses three areas: (1) why the person is leaving; (2) any particular special needs of the district; (3) has district done any leadership planning or cultivation, starting with teachers and career building. The next step is to ask: (1) do we look internally; (2) do we look externally, locally, statewide, nationally. A third of the districts are making internal promotions. Key to any decision is to keep it public and transparent.

Mr. Koocher noted the ongoing significant economic crisis results in people reluctant to leave a secure position and the real estate shock in eastern Massachusetts. Weather has an impact on some and the regulatory climate of Massachusetts and the 110 filing deadlines also have an impact.

It was noted there is no charge for the service of assisting with the superintendent search by MASC. Mr. Koocher suggested following the “Westborough” model that was used in the hiring of the present superintendent, which includes public exposure to the candidate and public interviews. Mr. Koocher noted the media is not bound by any restrictions, and in some instances the faculty likes to hire the candidate.

School Committee Meeting 2.

October 7, 2009

At a recent Department of Education meeting the serious economic news was emphasized, the state revenues are falling below projections, and there is a potential for 9C (current budgeted figures) cuts at the end of this month. In the 2011 budget, the federal stimulus funding will be gone, and the state will be hard pressed on Chapter 70 state aid. The year 2012 will not be much better and is impacting the fiscal stability of every school district. The economic climate has not been like this since before World War II.

Mr. Tretter asked how the districts maintain education standards with diminished resources. Mr. Koocher replied in the most general terms elements of education reform, the Readiness Bill, and giving communities czar like authority. Freeze every expense over what a school committee has discretion. He noted the reductions in human services, health and medical services are going to have a greater impact. A district will have to use extreme conservation with every dollar that it spends.

At Mr. Harris’s request the Committee will establish a timetable for the superintendent search at the next meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle extended congratulations to Alex Cincotta, Massachusetts High School player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association. On September 30, Coach Colleen Debish earned her 300^th career field hockey victory for the Westborough High School with a 2-1 win over Quabbin.

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee held its first meeting and will continue to meet monthly. The October Town Meeting was discussed, information about the transportation and fee sub committees was shared and fundraising was discussed

Mrs. O’Connor announced a Chinese school administrator will be visiting the district November 15 to 21. In the spring Mrs. O’Connor will visit his school. Arrangements are being made for translators to be available throughout the day. A visit to the Rotary Club is being arranged as well as a reception in the district.

The Grant Committee has obtained a $2000 grant from SADD to be used for underage drinking programs. Roger Anderson will incorporate it into his Wellness curriculum. Westborough has to supplement the Grant with $2000.

Homecoming was very successful at the High School. The Trivia Bee will be held November 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Doubletree. Fourteen teams will participate from the school department to support the sponsor, Westborough Educational Foundation.

Mr. Hendricks reported a meeting was held with the current transportation vendor preparing for bid figures that will be incorporated into the next budget. Mr. Hendricks also attended a meeting at Assabet to discuss common issues.

COMMITTEE REQUESTS AND REPORTS

Afeefa reported the High School Athletic Department is having a phenomenal year; football, field hockey and volleyball are all doing great. School spirit is very high and the Event of the Week is very successful. Fundraising took place at Homecoming; Picture Day was held; college applications are being written, a Financial Aid night is being planned, and the Juniors are having a Brainstorming night.

Mr. Tretter announced Homecoming was very successful. He attended a Stipend meeting September 30 and questions were raised for the Joint Labor/Management Board. A standardized form has been drafted for new positions. An activity has to be in place for two years to be eligible for a stipend.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji reminded the community Town Meeting has been changed to October 26. Mrs. Hatherley is reapplying for the National School of Character Grant, and the National Grant for Music is being assembled.

School Committee Meeting 3.

October 7, 2009

State Representative, Carolyn Dykema, is sponsoring a bill to eliminate the transportation requirements and let the districts decide whether to transport/charge those students within and without two miles of a school.

Committee members felt the Transportation sub committee should review this information.

Mr. Harris reported WASA will be holding a food drive for the Westborough Food Pantry on Halloween at Stop and Shop. The organization has made a $1000 donation in response to the low inventory. WABA and WMPA are taking orders for pies as a fundraiser.

Mrs. Henderson announced the School Committee met with the Finance Committee to discuss the article on the town Warrant. FinCom has voted to support the article requesting $160,000 for the unexpected students moving into the district that have Special Needs. These are legally mandated costs.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to approve the request from all school PTO’s to participate in the program at Stop and Shop that will return a percentage of the total purchased to the schools. The program begins October 9 and runs through March 25.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to appoint Johanna DiCarlo as the school department member on the Lee Property Committee, Ad Hoc, as requested by the Town Manager. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 4-0 in favor.

The Committee was in receipt of Policy IHBAA, Observations of Special Education Programs, for its review. A vote will be taken at the next meeting. The Policy is a result of a new law. The Superintendent recommends approval.

The Committee was in receipt of the Westborough High School Improvement Plan for 2009-10. Dr. Towle highlighted Curriculum, Facilities, Technology, Communication and Providing access to internal and external resources and services that address the academic and social needs of all students.

Mr. Hendricks announced the Massachusetts School Building Authority has approved a feasibility study for the potential repair of the Gibbons School. This is not an approval of the project, but strictly an invitation to work with MSBA to explore solutions to the problems identified. The request was submitted last year and could result in a 40-50% reimbursement. This is for roof and electrical repairs and should fall in a $1-3 million dollar amount. This is the first step in the process and there is no cost to the town at this time.

The School Committee will meet with the Board of Selectmen October 13 to give an overview of school finances and to inform them it appears there will be a 12% reduction in Chapter 70 funding. A slide presentation has been prepared for the meeting. There is a consensus this should be a living document and updated monthly.

Mr. Harris pointed out it is unusual for the Committee to go before the Board of Selectmen with budget information. The Committee is doing this so everyone can identify the serious problem at hand. The Committee will communicate the same message to the Selectmen that it has to the Finance Committee. It was suggested the School Committee members go before the PTO’s to get the seriousness of the financial message out to the community.

The Superintendent announced the H1N1 Survey results. 82.6% responded they would have their children vaccinated at a no cost clinic sponsored by the Board of Health in Westborough. 52% would like the clinics to be held during school hours and 30% preferred after school hours. This is an optional vaccination. Questions raised in the survey will be addressed by the Board of Health web site.

Westborough School Committee 4.

October 7, 2009

The Committee signed bills.

MOTION

At 8:00 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 4-0 to adjourn.

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Respectfully submitted

Ilyse Levine-Kanji

Secretary

These minutes are as recorded by the secretary to the school committee and do not become an official part of the record until so noted in a subsequent record.